Beating the winter blues

Let’s face it—winter can be toll on our motivation and desire to stay active. With days so short and the cold making it feel like the world is wrapped in a blanket of darkness, it's easy to get caught in a rut. You know the feeling: you wake up to go to work in the dark, and by the time you leave, the sun has already set. It can be hard to muster up the energy to leave the house, stay active, and be productive in the winter. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back. There are ways to break free from this cycle of winter blues and stay on top of your game.

Create a routine that works for you

It's easy to think that your routine should be the same all year long, but when you live in a place like Fargo-Moorhead where the seasons and weather dictate so much of our lifestyle, it's more than ok to change up your routine seasonally. Once you find a rhythm and routine to your day that works for you, it can make all the difference. My day typically starts with a Rise class in the morning, followed by classes during the day, a workout afterward, and study time in the evening. It’s simple, but it keeps me focused. You don’t need to overcomplicate things—just find a rhythm that feels right and stick with it. The biggest trick here is setting a consistent wakeup time every morning, weekdays and weekends included. Getting out of bed in the mornings can be much more difficult in the winter when it's dark outside, but that doesn't make it any less important. For many of us, mornings are when we conquer a lot of our important daily tasks, so skipping out on that time by hitting snooze can make the day feel a lot more frantic than it needs to. Roll out of bed once your alarm goes off, grab a hot cup of coffee, and start your day off on a good note!

Move your body

If you’ve been slacking on your workouts, now’s the time to jump back in. Studies show that physical activity boosts dopamine levels—aka your "happy hormone." So not only does exercising improve your health, but it also lifts your mood. Whether you're hitting the gym hard or just taking a walk, do what you can and keep pushing yourself to improve. Trust me, your body—and mind—will thank you. And hey, if you're in the Fargo-Moorhead area, I happen to know a great gym that can help you get there.

Give yourself something to look forward to

One of my best tricks to staying motivated during winter is to always have something fun to look forward to. Whether it’s a cozy night in or a fun outing, planning something exciting can keep your spirits high. Here are a few things I like to plan:

Ordering takeout and watching rom-coms with friends (Chinese food + feel-good movies = happiness)
Hosting football watch parties (because who doesn’t love a good game?)
Going ice skating or catching a hockey game
Baking something yummy while blasting my favorite music
Starting a good book (shoutout to Coach Emma G for kicking off our Rise Book Club!)

Having these little joys in the mix helps break up the monotony of winter and adds some excitement to your routine.

Give yourself grace

Most importantly, remember to be kind to yourself during these colder months. Winter can be tough, and sometimes it’s okay to slow down. Lean on your loved ones for support, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Here at Rise, we believe in both mental and physical toughness—but that doesn't mean you have to do everything alone. In fact, leaning into your community is often the key to success.

Join the Rise community

At Rise, we’re all about supporting one another, whether it’s through accountability buddies, personalized workout plans, or just being there for each other. We’ve built a community where you can lean in, stay motivated, and thrive—especially during the tough winter months.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s make this winter the best one yet. Get started with Rise today!